Behind MLA
Madeleine L. Althoff
Artist Bio
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota. Althoff was first exposed to art at a young age, partaking in the free Saturday events at the Walker Art Museum.
Introduced to ceramics in High School, she went on to major in Studio Art in Practice during undergrad. Creating 58 pieces for her Senior Thesis display, earning honors for her dedication and execution. Afterwards, she completed a residency at the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio where she displayed a solo exhibition titled Lady of the House. Turning the gallery into a 15th century sitting room.
Today, Madeleine continues her pursuit of connecting people to their ancestors through design and imagery back in her home state of Minnesota. Pursuing a Masters degree in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies through St. Thomas University of Minnesota.
In total Althoff has been a part of 58 Juried shows, 5 Group shows, and 2 Solo shows. Receiving two awards for 3rd Place in Ceramics, a Special Award, an Award of Merit, and a Honorable Mention in the past 5 years.
Artist Statement
The inspiration for my work comes from heritage and ancestry. I create my work by researching textiles and art from the 14/15th-centuries. Then using porcelain in combination with velvet jet-black underglaze I create detailed sgraffito designs. I believe this high contrast allows my work to stand out among peers. This process of research and alteration allows me to individualize each of my designs. Then, to accentuate the appeal, I add a gold luster to the edge.
When viewing my work, the viewer sees sophistication and elegance, then, while looking deeper, they see that it is ancestry… the intertwining of family through generations…just as the United States has resulted in the intersection of cultures, my own ancestry has come together to create who I am as a person and artist.
Awards:
Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts 112th Annual Exhibition - CT
Neatherlands
Honorable Mention
2023
30th Arts North International 2025 - Hopkins, Mn
Blomma With Tulie
3rd Place in Ceramics
Special Award - In Memory of Cari Rock
2025
Home Improvements - The Functional Art Show - St. Charles, IL
Treaty of Aachen 2019
Award of Merit
2026
Allina Health's Art of Possibilities Art Show & Sale: Beyond Boundaries - Minneapolis, Mn
Dutch Lace
3rd Place in Ceramics
2026
Past Shows and Competitions
2026
12th Annual Curry/Bower Exhibition Call For Artists, Bower Center for the Arts, VA**
Home Improvements - The Functional Art Show, St. Charles, IL**
2026 Showcasing All Women Artists, CA**
Allina Health's Art of Possibilities Art Show & Sale: Beyond Boundaries, MN**
Northern National Art Competition, Rhinelander, WI**
2025
30th Arts North International 2025, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hopkins, MN**
Earth and Fire: A Ceramics Show, Sedona Arts Center, Sedona, AZ**
11th Annual Curry/Bower Exhibit, Bower Center for the Arts, VA**
MORNINGWARE: Breakfast & Brunch, Saratoga Clay Arts Center, NY**
WBCA Instructor Showcase, White Bear, MN
38th Annual Northern National Art Competition, Rhinelander, WI**
2025 Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN**
October National 2025, IL**
13th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Bower Center for the Arts, VA**
46th Annual National Juried Art Show, NC**
9th Annual Yunomi Invitational, Raymond Ave Gallery, Mn
Inspired By Nature - An Exhibition of Sculptural Clay Work Western Wyoming Community College, Rock Springs, WY**
2024
Black, White or Grey California
Wish Art The Hennepin Theater Trust, Minneapolis, Mn
Nature Homage: A Juried National Exhibition of Animal and Insect Artworks d’Art Center, VA
Open Call 2024 Blue Oaks Arts’ Red Bluff Art Gallery, CA
2024 - All Things Considered Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
Hope 2024 Gallerium Art Exhibitions
Pint Size Transmission Gallery, Stockton, CA
VMRC Juried Art Exhibition 2024 Park Gables Gallery, VA
Gilpin Arts 77th Annual Juried Art Show 2024 Central City, CO
Sculpture at the Kavanagh Fine Line Creative Arts Center, St. Charles, IL
37th September Competition Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA
The Fall Art Show 2024, Lake Granbury Art Association, Shanley House Gallery, TX
Southern Miss Ceramics National, The University of Southern Mississippi, Museum of Art, MS
Cups Of Contemplation, The University of Southern Mississippi, Gallery of Art and Design, Cup Show, MS
Small Works: An Element of Celebration! Sedona Arts Center, Sedona, AZ
2023
9th Annual Dirty South Cup Show, Alexandria, LA**
9th Annual Curry/Bower Exhibition, Bower Center for the Arts, Bedford, VA**
19th Annual Bryn Du Art Show, Granville, OH**
Lady of the House, Chadima Gallery, Iowa Ceramics Center, Cedar Rapids, IA*
11th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Bower Center for the Arts, Bedford, VA**
Gilpin Arts 76th Annual Juried Art Show, Gilpin Arts Gallery, Central City, CO**
36th September Competition, Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA**
112th Annual Juried Exhibition, Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, Mystic, CT**
From the Earth, Kavanagh Gallery, St. Charles, IL**
Functional Fall: A Seat At The Table, Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY**
OPEN THEME, 2023 - Online Exhibition, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA**
August Group Art Show, Jones Gallery, Kansas City, MO**
Inspired By..., The Art Garage, Green Bay, WI**
2023 Great Northern Art Explosion, Artisan Village, Grayling, MI**
Noir, Pour-d, Rockford, MI**
September Group Art Show, Jones Gallery, Kansas City, MO**
The Fall Art Show 2023, Shanley House Gallery, Granbury, TX**
Clay Cup VI, George Caleb Bingham Gallery, MO**
November Group Art Show, Jones Gallery, Kansas City, MO**
Traditions, Pour-d, Rockford, MI**
Natural Elements, Blue Line Arts, California**
8th Annual 5x5x5 Show, River Oaks Art Center, Louisiana**
Emergence, Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, CT**
2023 Fall Salon, Logan Fine Art Gallery, Logan, UT**
small works - Big Talent, Las Laguna Art Gallery, CA**
December Group Art Show, Jones Gallery, Kansas City, MO**
Noel Noir, Pennsylvania**
2022
Tower of Strength on the Old Farmstead, Peter Paul-Luce Gallery, Mt. Vernon, IA*
Iowa Exhibited XXXVII, Polk County Heritage Gallery, Des Moines, IA**
Resident Artist Intro Show, Chadima Gallery, Iowa Ceramics Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
Creating in Community, Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, IA
2022 Fall Salon, Logan Fine Art Gallery, Logan, UT**
